The community of Tweeling, including farmers and subcontractors previously employed to do road works, braved the elements to assemble outside the local community hall on Thursday morning 2nd December. The District Agricultural Union (DLU), Mafube Business Forum (MBF) and the Mafube Taxi Association were also represented.This followed after receiving a message from the Office of the Premier, that the MEC for Roads, Police and Transport would provide answers as demanded in several memoranda handed to the Office of the Premier as well as the Minister of Transport, regarding the shocking state of the R26 provincial route between Tweeling and Frankfort.
The meeting which due to commence at 10h00 eventually started an hour late, when the MEC arrived accompanied by the Premier eventually arrived, irronically due to the poor condition of the road. After a prayer led by Dominee Willem Strauss, Mr. Itumeleng Monaune, representing the sub-contractors, introduced the Premier Mme Sisi Ntombela and the MEC Mr. William Bulwane to those in attendance.
Mr Bulwane* who has only been in the position of MEC for Roads, Police and Transport for a month, explained the problems experienced with the appointed contractor which ended up in High Court with an order granted, that KET Civils, the main contractor in the R177 million project, must return to site and complete the work. This apparently resulted in a drawnout legal matter and for around 12 months no progress, to the detriment of road users and the community of Mafube. The locally based sub-contractors are heavily affected and have not received payment for their services. There were no contigencies in place, and as indicated in the memoranda, nothing was done to safe guard road users and prevent damage to vehicles.
*Mr. William Bulwane replaced the previous MEC for Roads, Police and Transport, Mr. Sam Mashanini who had been dismissed by the Premier, for his failure regarding several road projects in the Free State.
Mr. Bulwane proceeded to inform the meeting of the steps taken by his department and confirmed that tenders had been invited to complete the road works. This process makes provision for a 14 day period, after which a contractor will be appointed. The MEC made it clear that only Grade 8 and 9 companies will be considered – meaning larger national road construction companies with a proven capacity for doing the work. The appointment is to be prioritised and thus expected to be made known after 16 December this year; with roadworks re-commencing during January 2022. In the meantime all possible will be done to ensure safety and the bypasses will be regularly graded. The MEC also undertook to look into the matter of non-payment of the sub-contractors – discussions in this regard is ongoing.
MBF remain cautiously optimistic and trust that the MEC is indeed sincere and truthful in what he stated. The Premier is now also fully aware of the situation but it is still unclear whether the Minister of Transport has been duly informed.
It was resolved by the 5 community organisations, that the MEC would be held to his promises and protest action is to be suspended for the time being, although the situation will be closely monitored. Further, more drastic protest and/or legal action might follow if the undertakings of the MEC is reneged on.
Residents, business owners and ratepayers are welcome to visit our offices at 18A Church Street during our business hours, on Mondays to Thursdays from 08h30 to 16h00 and Fridays from 08h30 to 12h30, or contact Marina on WhatsApp at 079 145 4295. Or send an email to info@mafubebf.org
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